A Defence of Common Sense

essay by Moore

Also known as: “A Defense of Common Sense”

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June 25, 2026

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G.E. Moore's "A Defence of Common Sense" is a seminal essay in analytic philosophy that argues for the validity of everyday beliefs against skeptical philosophical claims. Moore contended that fundamental, common-sense beliefs, such as "I had breakfast this morning" or "I have a pencil in my hand," are as certain as any premises used in skeptical arguments. He challenged philosophers to demonstrate why their complex arguments should be considered more reliable than these basic, universally held truths. This essay, published in 1925, was influential in shifting philosophical focus from constructing grand theories to analyzing the precise meaning of philosophical questions and defending common-sense views.12

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Western philosophy
Common-sense philosophy
…philosophy was Moore’s paper “A Defense of Common Sense” (1925). Against skepticism, Moore argued that he and other human beings have known many propositions about the world to be true with certainty. Among these propositions are: “The Earth has existed for many years” and “Many human beings have existed…
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…philosophy was Moore’s paper “A Defense of Common Sense” (1925). Against skepticism, Moore argued that he and other human beings have known many propositions about the world to be true with certainty. Among these propositions are: “The Earth has existed for many years” and “Many human beings have existed…
Read More

analytic philosophy
G.E. Moore
In his seminal essay “A Defence of Common Sense” (1925), as in others, Moore argued not only against idealist doctrines such as the unreality of time but also against all the forms of skepticism—for example, about the existence of other minds or of a material world—that philosophers have espoused.…
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In his seminal essay “A Defence of Common Sense” (1925), as in others, Moore argued not only against idealist doctrines such as the unreality of time but also against all the forms of skepticism—for example, about the existence of other minds or of a material world—that philosophers have espoused.…
Read More